The integumentary system consists of
Function
Epidermis
superficial layer ; no blood vessels
Dermis
deeper layer ; contains blood vessels
Hypodermis
deep to dermis; not a layer of skin
• composed of: Areolar tissue + Adipose tissue
Epidermal ridges
more prominent in thick skin ; fingerprint ridges
Free nerve ending
exposed of sensory nerve ending
Dermal Papillae
some have sensory receptors, some have capillary loop; under dermal papillae
Papillary region
superficial part of dermis; few collagen fibres ~ (Loose areolar connective tissue)
Reticular region
deep part of dermis
Arrector pili muscle
attached to hair follicles; causes hair to stand/straighten (goosebumps)
Hair follicle
protects hair root ; each follicle wrapped in nerve
Lamellate corpuscle
Between reticular region + hypodermis, sinks deeper into dermis with age; connective covering around body “bulb-like” ~ detect deep pressure/vibration
Sensory nerves
branch and supply ; ending is wrapped in connective layer
Blood vessels
diameter~ outgoing (vein) , incoming (artery + branches) to skin to provide O2 and nutrition to skin
4 major Cell Types in Epidermis
Keratinocytes
Melanocytes
Intraepidermal macrophages
Tactile epithelial cells
Keratinocytes
• most abundant; spikey
- Makes up 90% of epidermis
• filled with keratin protein ~coated in hydrophobic molecules
• need protection from UV damage
Melanocytes
• fewer than ^ ; tentacle-like
- Makes up 8% — only in stratum basale layer
• melanin granules released by exocytosis ; taken up by keratinocytes
• protects from UV damage
• all bodies have same # of melanocytes
Intraepidermal macrophages (Langerhans cell)
• phagocytosis; eats pathogens; p
• cell of immune system but protects skin from entering pathogens; • main function: immune surveillance
• release chemicals into blood that rush to site of infection.
Tactile epithelial cells (Merkel cell)
• light touch;
• dendrite ending (sensory neuron) + Tactile/Merkel cell = Tactile/Merkel disc
Thin skin layers
• Stratum Basale (stratum germinativum)
• Stratum Spinosum
• Stratum Granulosum
• Stratum Corneum
Thick skin layers
• Stratum Basale (stratum germinativum)
• Stratum Spinosum
• Stratum Granulosum
• Stratum Lucidum
• Stratum Corneum
Stratum basale
Stratum spinosum